Paybacks are a Bitch

by Mary F. Patel

Looks like sour grapes on the part of State Rep. Frank Oliver. Mayor John Street’s recent overwhelming victory over Sam Katz in the 29th Ward was not due to any action by Ward Leader Oliver, according to the mayor’s son, Sharif Street.

Maybe it's because Sharif Street ran against Oliver in the 2002 Democratic primary for Oliver's House seat.

"He directed his people to do nothing," said Sharif Street. He maintains that Oliver had not done anything to energize the voters or even remind them that Nov. 4 was an important mayoral election.

"[The mayor's campaign] had to go down there and knock on doors to remind people to vote," said the younger Street. "And they all came out in the end and we won the ward."

Unofficial election results from the County Board of Elections show that in Oliver's ward, Street received 3,370 votes (93 percent) and Katz got only 234 votes.

A message left on Oliver's office answering machine was not returned.

Oliver took issue with Sharif Street's decision last year to run against him. The 81-year-old Oliver represents the 195th District and has held his seat since 1973. He has a strong following in his district.

Sharif Street is 29 and practices real estate law with Wolf Block. Despite his aggressive campaign against Oliver last year, Sharif Street received 5,393 votes to Oliver's 7,630.

Oliver is not big on media attention. Sharif Street is pleasant and willingly speaks to reporters, unlike his father.

Now that his father has handily won re-election, what are the son's plans? Will he run against Oliver again?

"I'm not ruling it out," said the little Street.

Oliver may not be the only incumbent facing younger challengers next year. State Reps. Marie Lederer and Babette Josephs can look forward to a Democratic primary fight.

Lederer has held office since 1993 and represents the 175th District. Sheila Ballen wants a piece of the action and is running against Lederer. The 38-year-old Ballen was chief of staff to former Councilwoman Happy Fernandez. She has worked for nonprofits, done consulting work for the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone and is now the director of University City Arts League.

"I want to re-energize the district and be a proactive leader in Harrisburg," said Ballen, who visited every polling place in the district this past general election. Calling her entourage "Sheiladelphians," Ballen handed out goody bags to poll workers, who were glad to receive them. "Everyone is looking forward to me running," said Ballen. "I have raised $10,000 so far and I have almost 50 house parties planned."

Michael O'Brien, Lederer's chief of staff, said that his boss has worked diligently over the years to close nuisance bars and on school safety. "Marie [took] the lead on neighborhood transformation before it became sexy," said O'Brien. "She has worked to improve and revitalize neighborhoods." Among other actions, Lederer, along with State Sen. Vincent Fumo, First District Councilman Frank DiCicco and neighborhood and business groups in Old City, filed a lawsuit against the Old City corporation GoInternet in Common Pleas Court earlier this year. The complaint alleges severe nuisance behavior from the employees of GoInternet.

"We expect people to run," said O'Brien of Ballen's candidacy. "I wish her good luck and godspeed."

A.J. Thompson ran unsuccessfully against Lederer in last year's Democratic primary and recently expressed interest in running again, but could not be reached by presstime.

In the 182nd Legislative District, Andrew Hohns, a 25-year-old investment banker, will have another go at unseating Rep. Josephs. In last year's primary, Hohns received 4,912 votes to Josephs' 6,756.

Hohns said he intends to focus his campaign on the medical malpractice crisis, dedicating state funds to public transportation, giving seniors access to medications and enhancing the arts and culture scene in the district. "I'm raising money," said Hohns. "And I'm doing good work. Johnny Doc [Local 98 businessman and Democratic Party Treasurer John Dougherty] is supporting me." Hohns said that the LGBT community is hosting a campaign kickoff fundraiser for him at Bump on Thu., Nov. 20. Part of the proceeds will benefit the William Way Community Center. Renee Gillinger and Michael Williams are hosting the event. "I want to take care of the LGBT community in Harrisburg," said Hohns.

Josephs, also gay-friendly, will be hard to beat. The 63-year-old has held office since 1985. "I have been busy working on getting the Gov. Rendell agenda passed," said Josephs. She, like Lederer, has focused on nuisance bars and drug houses. "I have been working on keeping the historic buildings from being demolished in the 1900 block of Sansom Street, and I have been working with neighbors on a sensible plan for the Jefferson Hospital parking lot," said Josephs. Her other projects include working with skateboarders who are looking for a long-term solution near the Art Museum, and helping coordinate a University of the Arts student competition. UArts is competing to design a new community park in the district.